Skin diseases are conditions that affect your skin. These diseases may caused by the penetration of viruses, bacteria or fungi to the skin and cause infections. These infections are called contagious skin diseases. 

Skin diseases that are contagious in adults

1. Warts 

 It is common for warts to grow on the hand. Warts are benign skin growths that appear when a virus infects the top layer of the skin. Human  papillomavirus (HPV) is the virus that causes warts. You are more likely to get one of these viruses if you cut or damage your skin in some way.

Wart viruses are contagious. Warts can spread by contact with the wart or something that touched the wart.

Warts are often skin-colored and feel rough, but they can be dark (brown or gray-black), flat, and smooth.

 2. Shingles 

Shingles develops from the same virus that causes chicken pox. It’s is called varicella-zoster virus. Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. After the chickenpox clears, the virus stays in the body. If the virus reactivates the result is shingles. 

However if you’ve never had chickenpox, you can develop it after touching the fluid from inside a shingles blister. Also Shingles is less contagious than chickenpox. Your risk of spreading the virus is low if you cover your shingle blisters. 

3. Yeast infection

Genital yeast infections affect both women and men. They’re caused by an overgrowth of the Candida fungus, which is normally present all over your body.

If you have a vulvovaginal yeast infection, you may develop a rash around your vulva. If you have a yeast infection on your penis, the head of your penis may become inflamed.

Yeast infections can be spread through sexual contact.

To treat a yeast infection, your doctor may recommend an antifungal medication.

4. Herpes

Herpes is a common viral infection. It’s a sexually transmitted infection. 

It can be caused by either herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2).

If you contract herpes, you may develop blisters around your mouth, genitals, or rectum. A herpes infection on your face or mouth is known as oral herpes or cold sores.

An infection around your genitals or rectum is known as genital herpes. Many people with herpes develop mild symptoms or none at all.

Oral herpes can spread through something as simple as a kiss. You can contract genital herpes through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If you have herpes, you can spread it to other people, even if you don’t have symptoms.

Contagious skin diseases in children

1. Impetigo

Impetigo is a common skin infection, especially in children. It usually causes red sores to appear around the nose and mouth. Most people get impetigo through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has it.

It’s also possible to get it by using something infected with the bacteria that cause impetigo. You can get it from an infected towel or sports equipment. Wearing infected clothing is another way to get impetigo.

Staph and strep cause most cases of impetigo. These bacteria cause impetigo by getting into the body. They can get in through a cut, scratch that barely breaks the skin, or bug bite. A rash, sore, or burn also provides a great entry point for the bacteria.

A child may get impetigo by scratching itchy eczema or chickenpox. The scratching breaks the skin, making it easy for the bacteria to get inside.

Impetigo is highly contagious until you receive antibiotics to treat it or your sores go away on their own.

2 Diaper rash

Diaper rash usually isn’t contagious, but sometimes it is. When it’s caused by a fungal or bacterial infection, it can spread to other areas of your child’s body or other people. Use good hygiene to stop the spread of infection. Keep your baby in clean and dry diapers.

3. Scabies

This infection is caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the skin to live, lay eggs and feed. The infection spreads from skin-to-skin contact or from infested items such as furniture and bed linens. It causes intense itching and a rash that looks like pimples. The rash eventually scabs over. Child and adult care centers are common sites of scabies outbreaks. If someone in your house gets scabies, it’s easily spread.